In order to explain what a zombie virus is, you must first explain zombies. Zombies are dead or mentally disabled creatures (usually human) which have lost all signs of self-control. Many people have speculated what diseases can cause zombies to be created. The most logical idea is a mutated rabies virus. Such a disease would need to only affect the brain and possisbly degenerate the skin somewhat. If a rabies strand could mutate into a disease which would keep its potency but make the effects last longer then one could potnentionally have a zombie virus.

When you eat dirt for the first time and leave your family to build a shack in the woods